Three days. I have three days left to get to Tymos and save Brent before this red sun deadline. I'm still following these footprints and hoping they're taking me the quickest route, but seeing as they're from Tymos I'm sure they're not.

So far this morning, things have been quiet among us. Lan can't resist talking though so he talks to Nimu occasionally, but mainly he hangs back with Chasan. Of course, Dhisnaek seems to have a stream of never-ending questions about my dad and our lives, but despite all of these things going on, I'm lost in my thoughts, thinking about my conversation last night.

Since I got up this morning, all I've thought about is how to amend this issue with the other three. We need to be a team, and right now we're a pretty weak looking team.

One of the biggest hurdles for me is getting used to working in a group. I'm not a team player, I've never been, but if this is going to work I'm going to have to do what my mom says and get to it. In regards of how I'm going to handle this fresh start, I'm not going to pull out my usual theatrics and stand up to give a rallying speech- though I'm more than capable of that- instead, I'm going to do what I do best: act. They probably would just roll their eyes at me if I tried to convince them of my new leaf, but you know what they say, actions speak louder than words and man, I'm going to be screaming my new intentions.

Apparently, I'm acting too good today and Chasan is suspicious- or looking for a fight to pick- so he starts up.

"No persistent questioning today?"

This is my first test, I gotta breathe and think before I speak.

Turning around to face him as I walk backward, I shrug nonchalantly.

"Nah. Just thought some peace and quiet would be best for a change."

Turning back around, I hear him scoff at that but I don't take the bait. Thankfully, Chasan doesn't take it any further, but Lan pipes up next.

"Do those footprints tell you how much farther we have to travel?"

"No, but I'm sure we can't be that far." I mean, it feels like we've been walking through this humid, sticky jungle for ages, we gotta be close.

"What if they lead us astray?" Nimu inserts her negative, Debby downer self into the mix.

"But what if it doesn't?" I counter. "Besides, why would it?"

"Have you ever thought that it might be a scheme by Tymos?" She argues back.

Taking deep breaths...there we go.

"Yes, but I'm choosing to put my faith in this. I don't have a lot of options open to me here."

It must be my let's-help-a-girl-out day because Nimu, too, drops whatever would be an argument in exchange for silence again. I'm not sure how I'm doing with uniting us, but I'm not driving a wedge between us, hopefully.

Exchanging a glance with Dhisnaek, I'm given a little boost of encouragement from him as he offers me a subtle nod and flash of a smile. Seems I'm headed in the right direction.

In all reality, though, I am going to have to get a truth from them since there is a quota that has to be met by the end of the day since- and I'm assuming here- they don't want to die. I never realized how hard not spilling the rules of this "game" would be- it'd just be so much easier having them in the loop.

Continuing a little further, I can see trouble brewing on the horizon.

Up ahead lies a chasm with a steep drop off. Though the other side isn't too far away- unlike crossing the edge- it's still not a safe bet, especially seeing as there's now a raging, current-heavy river between. I thought the rinky-dink bridge we crossed the other time was bad, I would take that two cent bridge any day compared to this. In lieu of a bridge, we get a fallen, decaying log connecting the two sides together.

God, between birds and bridges, I'mma about done with the themes in this jungle.

Sighing, I rub the bridge of my nose, but then plaster on a happy-go-lucky face for the rest of them.

"Alright, who's going first?"

I'm trying here, I really am, but I don't blame them for the pause and look of sheer disbelief they're giving me like I've lost my last marble.

"You can't be serious," Chasan says, staring at me like I'm mad.

Glancing behind me at the crossing, I shrug and face him with another cheery, fake smile.

"Aw, come on, guys, it's not that bad. We've come across worse."

Lan visibly gulps.

"No, no, no," Nimu shakes her head. "This is ridiculous. We cannot cross that thing, it's unsound."

Not going to lie, my patience is starting to wear thin, but with one look at Dhisnaek I know I have to approach this as a leader ought to- I gotta open up.

"Look, guys," I begin with a sigh, dropping the facade. "I know this looks daunting and kinda risky, but we have faced worse."

"Worse?" Chasan scoffs. "That isn't even a bridge."

"Okay, yeah, you're right, but how else are we supposed to get to the other side? Flying? If you have any other suggestions then feel free to dish 'em out."

They all exchange looks before glancing behind me at the chasm.

Nimu, of course, always has something to add.

"Maybe there's a safer way to cross to ensure none of us gets hurt? We can cross but perhaps some security might ease our minds."

That's actually a good idea.

"That sounds good, but what would we use?"

"We can fasten harnesses," Lan suggests.

"From what though?" Nimu asks him.

He points up to the trees. "The vines. If Joan can fasten a rope out of them then maybe we can make a harness."

"I agree," Chasan adds. "I think it can be done."

This is going along pretty good. "Awesome, this sounds like a good idea."

Just when I think we're getting somewhere as a team, Dhisnaek interjects.

"Where are you going to attach the harness?"

Frowning, I look at him, "What do you mean? We're going to make a harness out of the rope so we can cross."

"I understand, but where are you going to connect the harness?"

Maybe it's one of my slow days but I'm just not understanding his drift. Nimu, though, who has a functioning brain gets what he's trying to say and lays it out for the rest of us.

"He's right. There aren't any branches overhead to attach the harness to."

Finally, I get what the issue is. The chasm isn't too far, but there aren't any tree limbs stretched out over it- at least none close enough to attach the harness to- so we would have no way to secure the harness to anything, defeating the purpose of it in the first place.

"Yeah, you're right..." Great, just when we were making progress. "Oh!"

Actually, scratch that, I'm a genius.

Rushing over to a tree with some vines hanging off of it, I give it a tug before waving them over.

"Help me get this vine down. Make sure you don't snap it because I need it long."

So they get to it, we all use our strength to yank the fairly thick vine from the tree. Once it's down, I hurry over to the log which serves as our bridge and tie one end of the vines around it then secure the other end snuggly around my waist.

"Ta-da," I beam proudly. "Man, I deserved straight-As in school."

"How is that supposed to help?" Chasan questions me critically.

"Um, if you can't see, it's a beginner's harness. So like you'll be okay if you slip off the log because this has you covered."

"How do we get back up on the log, though, if we fall?" Lan asks.

"Glad you asked because I think of everything. If you fall and you're dangling there, no need to worry about trying to get back up, just shuffle along it until you reach the other side."

"So we cross one at a time?"

"Yeah, pretty much. It shouldn't take us too long."

Here comes Nimu with her realistic viewpoints again.

"How will the other person get the harness once the first person reaches the other side?"

"Um..." Screw her. "Just make another harness."

It's an answer, one that doesn't smooth out her worries and concerns but one that'll have to do- we've wasted too much time already.

"So you're going first?" Chasan says, gesturing to the vine around my waist.

"I dunno, would you like to go first?"

He exchanges a glance with Lan before stepping up to reply-

"Yeah, I'll go first."

"Okay, cool," Thank God because I really did not feel like being the guinea pig for this. I start to undo the vine. "Make sure you don't break it, okay?"

"Whatever you say," He replies, starting to tie the vine around his waist.

It is one of the hardest things in the world- I mean harder than squatting with thirty pounds on your back- not to make a snide, sarcastic remark back to him- so hard. But I'm practicing self-restraint so I let it go.

After he gets situated and secure, he steps up to the log. I can tell he's somewhat nervous about this, it's written in his eyes- and a weaker person than I would point this out to him right now, but I hold my tongue. He stands there for a moment before placing that first foot on the creaky log.

"Be safe," Nimu warns.

"You can do this," Lan says encouragingly, though with a hint of fear in his eyes as well.

Guess it wouldn't kill me to add some faux encouragement either.

"Don't look down, keep your eyes on the prize." That sounds encouraging enough.

Taking a deep breath, he finally places the other foot on the log and begins his shaky, slow journey across. For the first few steps, he's wobbly as he tries to find the perfect balance. As he goes along, gradually tugging the vine along the log with him, he starts to relax and become more comfortable. By the time he reaches the middle, he's an expert and is making fast work of crossing. At last, he arrives on the other side, at eased and in one piece.

God, I love it when my plans pan out.

"You made it!" Lan cheers.

"Who's next?" He calls out to us as he unties the vine from around his waist.

"I'll go next," Lan says to us first. I guess Chasan made it look easy.

"Lan's coming over next," I yell back to him over the rushing waters.

"Let's get another vine," I tell him.

We go yank down another thick cord strand for him to use.

Handing it to him, I watch as he ties it around his waist before going to secure it around the log, not before almost falling headfirst into the torrent-strong river below. Thankfully, he rights himself before we have to play Taps.

"You good?" I ask him as he backs up from the edge.

"Yeah," He chuckles sheepishly.

Nimu, not wanting any unfortunate event to happen, goes to tie it for him.

"Here, let me."

Once it's secure, he's ready to go.

I give him a playful salute. "Good luck."

He returns it, though I'm sure he's clueless on it means, and replies, "Thanks."

It seems everyone holds their breath as another person begins the arduous journey above the raging river. Kinda funny how he was scared to death to cross an old bridge but isn't as jittery crossing a log over a river that foams white with its currents.

Just like Chasan, Lan gets progressively better midway through, though not as confident as Chasan ended up being, and arrives on the other side.

"That wasn't so bad," Lan yells out to us.

"See," I reply. "I knew you could do it."

Glancing at the other two, I ask, "So who's next?"

Nimu doesn't really say anything, but the grimace and unease on her face says it all- hell, she's even avoiding direct eye contact like this is school or something. Before I have to pull teeth, Dhisnaek volunteers.

"I suppose there's no use delaying it."

He goes to get a vine, ties it around himself then the log, and embarks without even the slightest hint of hesitation. At least now I know where I get my throw caution to the wind attitude from. For an older guy, Dhisnaek has the fastest cross time so far- he made it look like nothing.

"Welp," I look at Nimu. "Guess that leaves us. After you."

Though uneasiness lingers in her eyes, she goes to retrieve a vine for herself and promptly secures her to the log. She pauses but doesn't say anything, only glancing down below and sighing before starting her journey.

Watching from this side, I see her feet shaking but she keeps her balance. Pulling along the vine, she keeps her eyes set up at the sky, not daring to look down even for a second. Since I'm confident in her agile cat skills, I go to find a vine for myself that way I'll be prepared for when it's my turn.

I turn my back for one second...

A screech from behind, followed by gasping, gets my attention immediately.

Whirling around, my heart plummets as I notice the empty log. Rushing to the edge, I peer down and breathe a sigh of relief as I see Nimu secured and hanging on from the makeshift harness.

"Nimu," Lan calls down to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," She reassures him. "I simply lost my footing."

Thank God for those harnesses. Out of everyone, I wouldn't suspect Nimu to be the one to trip up- that spot's usually reserved for me.

She hangs just above the water, only a few inches from it, but she at least has a way of getting back up. Gripping the vine, she begins pulling herself up toward the log again.

Reassured the situation is under control again, I return to searching for the perfect vine, something strong and thick that won't-

Apparently, I can't turn my back on things, even if everything looks peachy keen.

A sharp gasp followed by panicked commotion from the other side gets me to whirl back around again, and this time my heart crashes out of my feet into the ground.

Holding on by a fraying thread, Nimu has a death grip on the weak vine as she lightly sways above the raging river. In a last ditch effort, she tries to stretch for the log, clawing at it with her sharp nails that barely scratch the wood.

"Nimu!" Lan cries out her. He seems ready to run out there for her if it wasn't her Chasan holding him back.

Suddenly, we hear a sickening snap. Nimu hardly has time to let out a yelp before crashing into the rough current below where she disappears from sight.

There's barely any time to register the situation, but there's even less time to comprehend me rushing to the edge and jumping in seconds after- hell, my brain doesn't even compute that I'm not on solid ground anymore until after I'm swallowed by the violent rapids.

The river is even louder in it than standing above it; I almost miss the others crying out for me as I'm quickly swept away.

When I say this river is no joke, I mean this is no joke.

I only have time for one quick breath before I'm dragged under by the high pressured current. It's a struggle to break up for air because each time I manage to pull myself up I'm sucked back down again with no new air in my lungs. If I'm being honest, this is worse than the storm at sea, at least then I had brief breaks in between the next crushing wave, here I've yet to get another good breath of air- and that's causing the panic to set in a bit.

Thrashing around under the racing water, I fight to get to the surface at any cost. With an unexpected drop, I'm allowed a quick gasp of air, but it's all I get before plunging back under the roaring torrent. I didn't even get a good gasp so I'm left with a tightening desperation in my chest for air.

Discombobulated, I'm being tossed and turned wildly like a spinning top, unable to find a point of balance to collect my bearings. I can't even open my eyes as all I would get is rushing waters blinding me as I continue to be held down along the bottom.

God, I'm going to drown.

I'm the biggest dumbass, I swear. Not only is Nimu history, but I've also decided to join her in a watery grave. If I can't drag myself up for a breath of air in the next several seconds I know I won't be able to hold out any longer.

My guardian angel, though, he's one loyal bastard.

Just my lungs burn with exhaustion, another drop in the river helps push me up toward the surface where I can sputter and cough. This stretch of the river is the first "calm" break so far, as I'm not being tossed around like a ragdoll and I'm able to tread the water enough to stay above the surface. The water is still swift and powerful, but I can stay like this long enough to look around, searching for Nimu.

Come on, Nimu, where are you?

Turning ever which way, I try to see any sign of the blue-haired feline hybrid but she's nowhere in sight, and with the deafening sound of the rapids ahead I know I'll once again be at the mercy of the river.

Though she most likely won't hear me yell for her, I'm desperate so I'll go with anything that crosses my mind right now.

"Nimu! Nimu!"

Spinning around, screaming out her name, I try my hardest to spot her out, but no such luck. I'm once again bracing myself as I reach the next stretch of river.

This time I'm prepared, taking a nice long-lasting breath of air, but this river's a bitch and isn't having it.

Without warning, as I'm sucked underwater, my head slams against a hard surface, most likely a rock, and a burst of color explodes across my vision as a throbbing pain starts on my right side of my head. Instinctively, I cry out in pain, not caring whether or not I'm underwater. My body, though, cares very much if I try to breathe underwater and now I'm without any oxygen or a way to the surface- not to mention the new persistent pain in my head.

Somehow I manage to break the surface and receive a much-needed gulp of air before being dragged down again. That hit to the head still has me seeing stars, and this river isn't helping my building nausea.

And this is what I get for trying to play hero.

Though, to be honest, I can't say that's the first reason why I jumped in- I really don't know what possessed me to dive in after her, maybe my impulsiveness is largely to blame. Whatever the case, my bad decisions are finally catching up to me. I've made a hasty move, the last one I'll ever make unfortunately.

But before all gives away to darkness, I feel a weight grip my shoulder, causing me to jolt in surprise, unexpectedly caught off-guard. My first instinct is to knock it off, but as I thrash around, the weight tightens on my shoulder and immediately I stop wasting my energy trying to fight against it. Soon I'm being pulled up to the surface where I'm able to relieve my burning lungs.

As I sputter and cough, the owner of the hand calls out to me above the current.

"Joan, are you okay?"

Glancing back, I see Nimu clutching onto a rock which keeps us anchored while her other hand grips my arm.

"Nimu, you're alive!"

"What are you doing here? How did you fall in?"

I frown, making a face at her. "Fall in? I jumped in after you!"

Now it's her turn for utter confusion. "You jumped in? Why?"

Laughing in disbelief, I shake my head at her. "To save you! Why else would I risk my ass in this water?"

She blinks as if not understanding still. We don't have time to be processing my insanity though, we need to be more concerned about getting to safety.

"We need to get to shore," I yell, struggling to keep my head above the rough water.

"But how? The current is too strong, we would never make it."

"Never say never," I counter. "Plus, we have to try something. We can't hang onto this rock forever."

Judging from the torn expression on her face, it seems Nimu would have been content clinging onto this rock for the rest of her life, but that's not flying with me.

"The shore's only a little ways away," I try coaxing her to take this leap of faith.

"But how are we going to get there without being swept away?"

Not gonna lie, the edge seems miles away from where we are, but I know we can't stay here. So I have to power up the ol' noggin again to get us out of another jam. Since I'm not the kind of chick to sit there and brainstorm over an equation cluttered chalkboard, I scan the area for anything helpful. It doesn't take me long to jump on board an idea, however implausible it may seem.

"The rocks. We can use the rocks to get across to the other side," I begin.

I mean, God knows there are enough rocks littered across this section for us to cling onto along the way. But just when I think my plans are sound, Nimu has to come along and be the voice of reason, poking holes in my airtight plan.

"Even if we tried to make it to the rock right in front of us we'd never make it. This current is strong and swift. Even if one of us happens to make it then the other one might not."

She's right, I know she's right- that's what sucks about it more. Though there are plenty of rocks to choose from and they're all close enough together, this current would suck us down, and we might not be able to catch a break until further down where there aren't as many rocks.

So it's back to the drawing board.

"There is a way we might be able to still get across, though," She finishes.

Or maybe not.

"Whatcha got?"

"This might sound a bit absurd..."

"Come on, Nimu, do I look like the kind of chick who would shoot down a harebrained scheme? Lay it on me."

Slightly reassured I won't laugh at her, she nods.

"If we're going to get across then one of us needs to be the anchor on one rock while the other person swings forward with enough momentum to reach the next stone. It would be like a link, that way the current wouldn't push us both down further."

"So like you would hold on to this rock while I try to swing onto that one, but I'm linked to you still?" I ask for clarity.

"Exactly. We have to make sure we're in communication, though, and both paying attention."

I try to envision it. It's going to require a bit of trust and skill to pull this off, but I'm confident we can do it- we have to if we're to get out of this mess.

"Alright, let's do this then."

Setting my sights on the rock only a few inches from me, I take a breath, glance at Nimu to make sure she's ready, then fling myself the best I can at my target. I feel my body being dragged downstream by the current, but Nimu keeps me anchored, and as my free hand wraps securely around the rock, I look back at her.

"All good."

Now it's her turn to latch onto another rock nearby. Despite her reservations, Nimu swings herself far enough to grab onto a rock a little further ahead than I expected her to go. Once she calls the all clear, I let go and search for a new rock to swing onto.

And so we make our way, slowly but surely to the edge. We have our minor slip-ups, but we keep each other from racing downstream. At last, we're only a swing away from the edge of the river. I'm currently holding onto the rock while Nimu preps herself to take a big swing. The space between the edge of the river and where we are is a little further than usual, but I have faith in her.

"Just one more time," I encourage her as she braces herself.

I can tell she's tired- we both are- these currents are no joke, and fighting against them can easily wear anyone out. But we're not quitters, we're making it to the end.

After another second passes, Nimu does it. Throwing herself across the rough rapids, she slices through the water, her arm stretched out to its max as she reaches for the shore. I don't even realize I'm holding my breath or clenching my teeth until she latches onto and announces she's secure and I finally let out a sigh of relief.

I make it to the shore as well without incident and we're able to pull ourselves up safely onto the solid strip of muddy sand. And then we just lay there, panting like we've just run a 5K the whole way, but we're alive and out of harm's way. Looking over at each other, we simultaneously burst into laughter.

"Remind me never to risk my ass for you again," I tell her playfully.

She smiles. "Fair enough, but thanks for that anyway."

We continue to smile as we sit up, finally catching our second wind.

Her smile immediately dies, though, when she studies me closer.

"Your head is bleeding," She points out, concern etching deep lines on her face.

Frowning, I touch my temple and wince a bit as I feel the tender spot.

"What happened?" She pressed.

"Nothing major," I wave off her concern. "It's not bleeding that much, right?"

"No...but we should probably tend to it before-"

As she goes on, I happen to glance over and notice something shimmer in the muddy sand. It's a familiar sight by now so as I stand up, cutting her off, and pull the object out of the wet sand, I'm not surprised to see another similar pattern piece. Nimu, curious about my actions, comes up behind me, staring at the puzzle in my hand.

"What is that?"

Usually, I would be a smartass about this, but I'm trying to be a good leader here so I refrain from the urge.

"It's another piece to this puzzle," I explain, pocketing it.

She's clearly confused but we can't stand here wasting any more time. Starting to climb up the slight slope up to higher ground, I wave her on.

"I'll explain on the way." At least, as much as I'm allowed to.

She begins to follow from behind, catching up to my side as we start our trek back to the others. After all of that, all I can say is they better be right where we left them.